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Simon Winfield, Managing Director, Hays UK & Ireland

Simon joined Hays in 2006, having commenced his recruitment career in 1993. Initially responsible for our businesses in Western Australia and Northern Territory, Simon relocated to the UK in 2014 where he was responsible for our operations in the West & Wales and Ireland, before being appointed Managing Director of the UK & Ireland business in 2018.

What are the top 10 hot jobs for 2019? Jobs UK employers will be hiring in 2019

Have your thoughts turned to what 2019 has in store for your career and whether you will get the pay rise you want? It is also likely that you’ll want to know whether it will be a good time to look for a new job and what skills companies will be looking for.

The outlook for jobs is positive for the coming year. In our recent survey of almost 23,000 people, over three-quarters of UK employers say they are planning to hire. The findings also reveal that almost all employers have experienced skills shortages in the last year, and over a quarter don’t believe they have the talent needed to achieve business objectives. These are quite startling statistics for managers – it is already difficult to find good workers and this is impacting on productivity.

They are also significant to anyone looking for a new job - or anyone who could be tempted if the right job came along. Skills shortages are prevalent across most of the areas we work in and in some cases these gaps are severe. The good news for employees is that if you work in one of these areas where candidates are in short supply, you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy multiple job offers and double digit pay increases.

In our salary guide, technology roles take the spotlight for these salary increases. In a list of the top ten roles to receive the highest average salary increases, eight were technology roles. The employers we work with just can’t recruit enough technology specialists quickly enough. Tax managers, reward specialists and site managers were also some of the lucky ones to secure significant pay rises.

In light of this, we’ve looked closer at what 2019 might hold. Is your job on the most wanted list? These are the roles we are expecting to be inundated with requests for. People with these skills will be in such high demand they will be securing the top pay rises.

The jobs on this list show that technology roles have not only enjoyed some of the biggest pay rises in 2018, but this shows no sign of slowing down in 2019. Accountants are being buoyed by companies’ focus on tightening financial controls and the changes in international financial reporting standards. Construction demand is high due to ongoing investment combined with a lack of skilled migrant workers to boost the workforce.

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones on this list, it is worth using the New Year to have a look at your skills and look at where you want to take your career. Whilst you might not want to take a pay cut and re-start your career, or you might not have the core skills and qualifications to become a developer or a surveyor, it is worth exploring where your profession is heading and what skills will be needed in 2019 and beyond.

For example, consider whether automation will impact your role and whether you have the right skills to take advantage. Looking at what impact technology will have on your role is a good place to start for most professionals. Also, reach out to people in the know who can offer insight into what the situation is for your profession for where you live. My team speak to employers day in, day out and know where the local investment is and where it is likely to be in the future. This insight can be invaluable in helping you shape your career, and your pay, so tap into this knowledge. If you aren’t on the list this year, will your job role be there next year?